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Friday, February 11, 2022

Nightingale of India: Lata Mangeshkar

She sang more than 11,000 --30,000 songs (depending on which story is true) in 36 languages in her 70 year long singing career.

They say that  she was blessed by the Ma Saraswati, Goddess of knowledge and arts herself.  Lata Mangeshkar was her name. 






Here for your perusal are some songs, from a very early career to some songs from more recent times.  

Considered a classic, the movie was different from other movies of the time that focussed on mythology, history rural themes.  This is one of the most beloved songs from Indian film history. 

Here is my favourite. The song was already an oldie when I was heard it but I thought it was so ahead of its time. Notice the range of emotions she evokes.  This song is from a movie called Jewel Thief from 1967  ---The songs in Bollywood are used to forward the story.  Here much is being said. The title of the song, Hothon Pe Aise Baat ---means, 'My sealed lips hold a secret and God forbid if I ever let it out'.

Here is a song from Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, from 1995.  A movie that is still running on a theatre in Mumbai. The most popular movie. Listen to how here even though she is older, how youthful her voice sounds.  She must be around late fifties in this song. Ho Gaye Hai Tujhko Pyar Sajna (O Beloved, no matter how much you deny, you are in love).

And here are two most favourite patriotic songs that are synonymous with Ms. Mangeshkar's voice.  

Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon: The People of My country (with english subtitles).This song was written and sung after India lost in Indo-China war in the 1960s. It is said that the Prime Minister went to listen to her and could not stop crying. Even today when I listen to it, I get misty eyed.

Vande Mataram: I bow to thee Mother from the movie Anand Math, based on the book of the same name. The book was a documents Sanyasi Rebellion, rebellion of the mendicants, against he British. I have been meaning to read this book for such a long time. By the way, this song is the second most top song in the WORLD, according to BBC's poll. 

Here is a song from a movie that was nominated for Oscar in 2001.  Its a devotional song and one of my favourite. 

As the story goes, when she was young an astrologer told her that if she got married she will not be able to pursue music. She was an ordinary looking woman.  Some would even consider her unattractive.  But her voice was gold and she was married to music.  She chose music. Rest, as they say, is history.


I had heard that her throat was insured for millions and they said they were going to use her larynx for research. I doubt that is true.  But what is true that she is registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the most recorded artist in history, in 1974. By 1974 itself she had sung over 24,000 songs. Although there is some controversy around it.  Today they say that most recorded songs, a title that still belongs to an Indian is only 17000. 

She was laid to rest with all state honours. She holds the Bharat Raina, the highest civilian award in India. 


Sharing some tweets by some Indian people in the Caribbean and Fiji Islands --and how they felt about Lataji (ji is a form of request).





























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